The Borough Police Department Receives High Tech Equipment

Candace Braun

Criminals beware: Borough Police now have state-of-the-art equipment to track down mischief makers.

Verizon Wireless and Samsung recently donated two Samsung i700 pocket PC/mobile phones to Borough Police, handheld equipment that will allow officers to look up criminal information while on the road.

A computer, camera, and cell phone in one, the personal digital assistant (PDA) will enable police to retrieve motor vehicle records, criminal warrants, and other necessary information without calling up the police department and tying up phone lines that could otherwise be used for emergency calls, said Harry Martin, director of data sales for Verizon Wireless.

"[The equipment] blends the convenience of a cell phone and the power of a laptop," he said.

The two new pocket phones, each valued at approximately $600, will also provide the police with fast access to federal, local, and state Motor Vehicle and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases. They will enhance the amount of work police can do on the road, assisting officers on foot and Safe Neighborhood patrols, as well as assisting in the investigation of abandoned or suspicious vehicles.

"This is going to be a great asset," said Capt. Anthony Federico of the Borough Police Department. "This will enable our foot and bike patrol officers to gain direct access to the same critical information in 'real time,' that we currently access using laptop computers installed in our police vehicles."

The equipment is becoming popular among public safety organizations nationwide, said Mr. Martin.

The donation is part of HopeLine, Verizon Wireless's community service initiative to increase public safety by providing products and services to communities nationwide.

HopeLine also gives financial grants to regional and national domestic violence organizations, such as the Family Violence Prevention Fund, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Since 2001, Verizon has also collected over two million previously used phones that have been donated for public safety use.

For more information on HopeLine, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.